Mature Health: Over Age 50
As your skin ages, the sebaceous glands produce less oil, and the skin loses elasticity. The result is dry, wrinkled skin-unless you take steps to prevent (or minimize) those effects. Here’s what to do to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature.
* Shower or bathe with a mild soap or transparent glycerin soaps to prevent dry, flaky skin. Don’t use deodorant soaps on your face-they’re too harsh for sensitive facial skin.
* Avoid alcohol-based astringents, toners, or after-shave lotions, which dry the skin.
* Apply a moisturizing lotion immediately after showering or bathing. (Dry skin makes wrinkles more noticeable, so using a moisturizer makes wrinkles less noticeable.)
* Use a room or furnace humidifier during the winter months, to further prevent dry skin.
* When washing dishes or working with strong detergents, protect your hands with rubber gloves.
* Apply sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher whenever you go outdoors.
If you’re thinking about having a face lift, chemical peel, or collagen injection for wrinkles, contact your local medical society for the names of board-certified surgeons or dermatologists with experience in the procedure you’re considering.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine